Welcome to the NTIO

The Netherlands Trade and Investment office is the formal representation of the government of The Netherlands in Taiwan. Its mission is promote and support cooperation between Taiwanese and Dutch institutions and companies in the field of commerce, science, technology, culture, agriculture, as well as to provide a platform for strategic economic diplomacy. In addition, the NTIO handles visa applications and consular matters for foreigners and Dutch nationals.

How can we help you?

The NTIO offers support, advice and services for entrepreneurs, governmental organizations and individuals in both The Netherlands and Taiwan.

Departments

The Economic Department actively promotes trade between The Netherlands and Taiwan by providing information, support and practical advice to Dutch entrepreneurs who want to do buisness in Taiwan. The Economic Department also provides services for Taiwanese businesses who want to import from The Netherlands.

The NFIA is a Dutch government agency that provides free consultancy, information and practical assistance for foreign companies that are interested in establishing their business in the Netherlands. It also offers access to a broad network of potential business partners and helpful government institutions.

The Agriculture & Food Department provides information on the agricultural sector and on agricultural policies of the Netherlands, and collects information about the agricultural sector in Taiwan as well.

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is a Dutch governmental organization that promotes "economic diplomacy" in the field of technology, science and innovation. It is also the point-of-contact in Taiwan for any Dutch company or organization active in the field of research, development, science and technology.

The Netherlands Trade and Investment office is the formal representation of the government of The Netherlands in Taiwan, and handles all visa applications and consular matters for Taiwan. It also offers services for residents and citizens of The Netherlands, and serves as a point of contact and information in case of emergencies.

The NTIO's overal mission is to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between The Netherlands and Taiwan in all areas, including social and cultural activities, education and the arts.

News and announcements

NTIO is closed on April 3 - 6

On the occasion of Children’s / Tomb Sweeping Day, the NTIO is closed on April 3 - 6, 2015

Want to know more about the lastest news about Holland? Please visit our Facebook page for up-to-date news on events, promotions and social activities, or visit our current events page.

About the NTIO

The Netherlands Trade and Investment office is the formal representation of the government of The Netherlands in Taiwan.

TThe NTIO provides a platform for strategic economic diplomacy and actively seeks out new opportunities for cooperation between The Netherlands and Taiwan. It also promotes exchanges and activities in areas education, culture, design, media and the arts.

We are located on the 13th floor of the FarGlory building in the Xin Yi district, a short walk from the MRT's Taipei City Hall station. For our full address, contact information and opening hours, click here.

Robert de Vries

Shirley Lee

Dennis Bierman

Anthony Snellen

Director of the Agriculture and Food Department

Kasper Nossent

Head of the Science and Technology Department

Holland-Taiwan

OUR TRADE IN PERSPECTIVE

As far back as 1623, the Dutch had been attempting to use military force to coerce China into trading with the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), the vast Dutch trading cartel that spanned the world at that time. However, their efforts were thwarted by unexpectedly fierce resistance from the Chinese, and the Dutch were forced to sue for peace and to withdraw to the island of Formosa, which in those days was mainly inhabited by aboriginal tribes.

The Dutch built the defensive fort “Zeelandia” as a base of their operations in the southern city of what is now Tainan and started trading with aboriginal tribes, as well as developing large-scale agriculture with the help of imported labor from the Mainland’s Fujian province. However, the period of Dutch rule was brief: during the Siege of Fort Zeelandia, the Chinese military leader Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga) forced the Dutch to surrender and expelled them from Taiwan in 1662.

Many of the economic policies implemented by the Dutch during their brief colonial period subsequently formed the basis of Taiwan’s modern international trade. Taiwan’s earliest mercantile history and, to a certain degree, the roots of its present-day economy, can be traced back to the system of ports, trade relations and trade routes that were established during the Dutch Formosa period back in the 17th century.

Today, The Netherlands still has close economic relations with Taiwan. The Netherlands is the second of Taiwan’s European trading partners, and is also the biggest foreign investor in the country. After Japan and the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan is one of Asia’s main destinations for Dutch exports.

King's Day

King's Day (or Koningsdag) is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to mark the date of birth of the current king Willem-Alexander on April 27. This year NTIO is celebrating King's Day on April 24.

Focus on the Future

The Netherlands is the best protected delta in the world. Yet how do we keep our country safe from high water, now and in the future, and ensure a sufficient supply of fresh water? And how can we ensure that the Netherlands remains an attractive country in which to live, work and invest?

The Netherlands has a rich variety of nature and it is one of the world's largest agricultural producers. Biotechnology is important for agriculture and the food industry. The Dutch government would like consumers to be able to choose healthy foods more easily and more consciously.

The government strives to increase opportunities for Dutch entrepreneurs on foreign markets. On the other hand it aims to attract foreign companies and top talent to the Netherlands. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are high on the agendas of businesses and government.

The Dutch government believes that the arts and culture should be accessible to all. The education system of the Netherlands features various types of school, each offering a curriculum geared to pupils' needs. Comparative studies show that Dutch scientific research is among the best in the world.

About Holland

The Dutch – all 16 and a half million of them – live in a country about the size of Taiwan, making it one of the world's most densely populated countries. The Netherlands (or, more informally “Holland”) is best known for its iconic tulips, windmills and clogs, but there is so much more to this amazing country . Despite its diminuituve size, it is the 10th largest economy in the world, renowned for its investment opportunities, its high-quality infrastructure and its broad government support for trade, commerce, sciende, innovation and green technologies.

The Dutch have always literally built and managed their country; from physically reclaiming vast swaths of land from the sea from the 16th century onwards, to protecting vulnerable low-lying areas with one of the world’s most advanced water management systems. The Dutch take great pride in their country, and have consistently managed it with responsibilty, vision and compassion. Take a virtual tour and check out the section below to discover what Holland is all about.

The Netherlands Trade and Investment office is the formal representation of the government of The Netherlands in Taiwan. Its mission is promote and support cooperation between Taiwanese and Dutch institutions and companies in the field of commerce, science, technology, culture, agriculture, as well as to provide a platform for strategic economic diplomacy. In addition, the NTIO handles visa applications and consular matters for foreigners and Dutch nationals.